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OLRAs provide safe, enclosed places for dogs to play- OLRAs provide dogs an opportunity to socialize with other dogs
- By providing a place to play and socialize, OLRAs decrease boredom and the sometimes accompanying destructive behaviors of dogs who spend much of their time indoors
- OLRAs provide dogs with “mental exercise” by exposing dogs to new and varied stimuli
- OLRAs provide dogs with the opportunity to run, free of a leash or other physical tethers
- An exercised dog is a healthy dog, with less propensity to obesity and its accompanying disease states
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OLRAs provide an opportunity for dog owners to meet and socialize with other dog owners- OLRAs provide educational opportunities, e.g., dog training, for dog owners
- OLRAs provide dog owners with a place to recreate with their dogs, providing the owners, as well as the dogs, with much needed exercise
- OLRAs provide a place for handicapped and elderly persons to exercise their dogs in a barrier-free environment
- OLRAs increase dog owners' voice control over their dogs
- OLRAs provide dog owners with the simple joy of watching their dogs be dogs - playing, running, and enjoying their surroundings without a tether, leash, or chain
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Communities with Dog Parks or Off-Leash Recreation Areas (OLRAs) often see a decrease in the number of dogs off-leash in other areas of the community, thereby lessening the number of unwanted encounters in areas set aside for other groups- Dogs who are socialized and have plenty of exercise are better neighbors, and are less prone to nuisance barking and roaming
- Dogs who are exercised and allowed to run freely are less likely to be aggressive, thereby decreasing the risk of dog-related injuries in neighborhoods
- OLRAs promote responsible dog ownership, through both formal education efforts by the sponsoring group and also informal teaching that occurs at the OLRA (e.g., picking up after one’s dog, maintaining voice control)
- The establishment of an OLRA could bring increased dog sporting events to the Johnson City area, bringing with them people to our community and the surrounding areas
- Area hotels that are "pet friendly" will benefit from having an area their patrons can take their pets
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About Dog Parks 
A Dog Park, or Off-Leash Recreation Area (OLRA), is a fenced, designated area where dogs may legally run, play and socialize with each other "off-leash" under the supervision and voice control of their owners.